Recent drunk-driving sentences beg questions

Letter to the editor

Rocky Underwood received two judgments against him. In the first, he was found guilty for driving while under the influence, stemming from a July 28 incident. He received three days in jail with 30 suspended, a fine of $1,000 with $500 suspended, probation for two years and a revoked license for 30 days.

Underwood also was found guilty for driving while intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of .235 (nearly three times the legal limit), in an incident on Jan. 15. Underwood received six days in jail with 54 suspended, a $3,000 fine with $1,500 suspended, two years probation and a revoked license for 90 days.

Are these judgments according to state laws? If so, perhaps we need to change the laws to make judgments stiffer. Or are these judgments up to the judge's discretion? If so, this judge needs to consider stiffer judgments, with more jail time.

What do we have to do? Wait until a driver kills somebody while driving under the influence before something more than a slap on the wrist will be imposed?